The aim of this paper is to describe a development project carried out in Somalia in the early 1980s, which was based on hydrogeological research. This research tested an original method and sound technology to locate and exploit groundwater resources. The project was implemented by the not-for-profit association Water For Life (founded in Trento in 1987) and recognized by both the Italian and Somali governments. The studies were made in the low Shabeelle River plain before the outbreak of the civil war and led to the important result that under the recent fluvial deposits, in which groundwater is frequently salty or brackish, there are ancient alluvial formations, constructed by a former river system. The reconstruction of the geological and geomorphological sequence in the area allowed us to assume that the groundwater of the ancient system was fresh. Three pilot wells that were drilled yielded freshwater, confirming the hypothesis. In 1992 the project was greatly enlarged to cope with the tragic situation in the agricultural district of the lower course of the Shabeelle River, which was created by civil war and exceptional drought. The field of the activities was extended from freshwater research to irrigation, to orphan assistance (about 1000 children), primary education (6500–7000 boys and girls), secondary education (an agricultural college with 200 students) and to vocational training (mechanics, metal work, joinery, masonry, women’s crafts, with a total of 180 apprentices). More recently, two new projects have started, which are supported financially by the European Union, the Italian Government and the Administration of Trento Province. Their aims are to train teachers and to help the communities to construct new school premises and furniture in all the villages. A well will be dug for every school. The location and depth of the wells will result from research carried out by installing piezometers. This methodology allows rapid testing for the presence, depth and salinity of groundwater. Where the test is unsuccessful, casing and pipes can be recovered and used for another piezometer.

The aim of this paper is to describe a development project carried out in Somalia in the early 1980s, which was based on hydrogeological research. This research tested an original method and sound technology to locate and exploit groundwater resources. The project was implemented by the not-for-profit association Water For Life (founded in Trento in 1987) and recognized by both the Italian and Somali governments. The studies were made in the low Shabeelle River plain before the outbreak of the civil war and led to the important result that under the recent fluvial deposits, in which groundwater is frequently salty or brackish, there are ancient alluvial formations, constructed by a former river system. The reconstruction of the geological and geomorphological sequence in the area allowed us to assume that the groundwater of the ancient system was fresh. Three pilot wells that were drilled yielded freshwater, confirming the hypothesis. In 1992 the project was greatly enlarged to cope with the tragic situation in the agricultural district of the lower course of the Shabeelle River, which was created by civil war and exceptional drought. The field of the activities was extended from freshwater research to irrigation, to orphan assistance (about 1000 children), primary education (6500–7000 boys and girls), secondary education (an agricultural college with 200 students) and to vocational training (mechanics, metal work, joinery, masonry, women’s crafts, with a total of 180 apprentices). More recently, two new projects have started, which are supported financially by the European Union, the Italian Government and the Administration of Trento Province. Their aims are to train teachers and to help the communities to construct new school premises and furniture in all the villages. A well will be dug for every school. The location and depth of the wells will result from research carried out by installing piezometers. This methodology allows rapid testing for the presence, depth and salinity of groundwater. Where the test is unsuccessful, casing and pipes can be recovered and used for another piezometer.